Ebayers - what feedback would you leave?

[Cinderellafifi]

I only use ebay as a hobby and I only have 21 transactions since 2003. I mainly buy things , but I also have sold things such as baby clothes, books, even an SUV. I have never received negative feedback and I have never left negative feedback, even when the first buyer for the SUV never paid and I lost out on a physical buyer during the same time. No matter, I thought, things happen and the car sold.

I recently sold a book. It was in excellent condition. The buyer had only two transactions...but it was not a red-flag to me. They bought the book for $5. I offered MEDIA MAIL SHIPPING FOR $5. As you know, this appears when you are bidding and when you win - AND it specifically tells the bidder that media mail may take up to 9 days!!!!! In my description of the item, the final sentence involved adding insurance for mailing and the fact that I would use media mail.

The book was purchased via PayPal on the 26th (Thurs). I sent the book, delivery confirmation on 30th (Mon). (To clarify, that was only two business days later that the book was mailed - not five days) I emailed buyer to advise of shipment on morning of Oct. 30th and said "You elected not to purchase insurance for mail transit. The book will arrive via media mail...here's your tracking number."

Apparently the buyer recieved the book on the 9th and left "neutral" feedback because "I paid on 10/26, rec'd on 11/9 - shipping was way too slow." Well, I"m miffed!!!!!!

I have not yet left feedback because that does seem to be the trend for sellers. (Please don't make that the issue). I am inclined this time to leave negative feedback stating that the buyer should have read terms of the auction...but I don't want to be petty either. I appreciate your advice.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm a seller and buyer both and have had to deal with buyers who were miffed by the slowness of media mail. For the most part, I don't think buyers are aware of just how slow media mail can be - in some cases almost a month..

I think I would respond to your neg with something along the lines of "shipped within 1 week of payment - unable to control postal conditions relating to delivery times for media mail"..

Not sure I would leave the buyer a neg at all - maybe they just aren't aware of how agonizingly slow media mail can be..

Be professional and courteous in your response to her neg and it will make you look like the responsible, mature party..

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

First, I would definitely post a response to your feedback that the buyer paid for media mail shipping. That way when someone looks at your feedback and sees the comment the buyer left, they'll also see your side without having to check the buyer's feedback.

Nine days for media mail isn't that bad. I've had media mail take longer, as well as one first class package that took 3 weeks. If he had a problem with the timeliness of the delivery, he should have contacted you about it before leaving any feedback.

As a response, I'd suggest leaving a neutral instead of a negative. If they neg'd you, I'd say neg them. If you leave a neg in response, it won't look very good in your favor. Leave a comment with something like "fast payment but gives neut fb w/o contacting seller - caution", or maybe try to mention something about paying for media mail but expecting faster shipping. You only have 80 characters for your comment, so be sure to word it carefully.

I'm not sure if you should mention that you shipped 5 days after they paid. That won't help your case.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It is just really bad form to leave a negative when they didn't leave you a negative and really waiting 5 days to ship did contribute to the length of delivery time.

I think in this case I probably wouldn't leave the buyer feedback. I usually prefer to just say nothing at all.

In response to the feedback on your account, I'd state "book was shipped media mail which took a long time."

 

[Cindyluwho]

I think Neutral is fair. Taking 5 days to ship would miff me. Just my opinion...

 

[Beth76]

You're not leaving feedback on their feedback. If the buyer paid on time, he should get positive (or none). I would comment on the neutral feedback with what C.Ann said though.

 

[cardaway]

I think Neutral is fair. Taking 5 days to ship would miff me. Just my opinion...

I agree. It totally pisses me off when the seller doesn't ship the item within two days after the auction ends. If you are not going to have the time, select another time for the auction to end.

IMO it wasn't the media mail, it was the 5 day delay.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

Thanks for the input. I think the best thing is to reply with a neutral since that I what I received, as Obi-Wan suggested. I am always polite and respond to all questions, so I feel they are punishing me for their laziness and ignorance (not meant in the insulting way) as to what media mail is.

Serious question: if the buyer paid me on the Thursday 26th (in the late afternoon), why do some of you feel I was wrong to "delay" to mail on Monday the 30th?? I was in the post office by 8:15 AM and emailed the buyer with tracking number when I got to the office. Many sellers only mail on one day a week, do they not? Anyway, not to make excuses, but I was in Epcot the 27th through 29th (you can search my Food & Wine excitement posts). I don't feel I was out of line for mailing two business days later, I'm curious as to why some of you do. Thanks.

 

[C.Ann]

I think Neutral is fair. Taking 5 days to ship would miff me. Just my opinion...

------------------------------------------

Take a look at her dates.. The item was paid for on
Thurs. the 26th (more than likely, late at night - because that's when most people end their auctions).. She shipped on Monday.. That means she had Friday and Saturday to package and label all auctions that ended on Thursday night.. The Post Office isn't open on Sunday.. She didn't state what time she shipped on Monday - could have been as soon as the doors opened..

As a seller and a buyer, I don't think there's anything to be miffed about -because she probably didn't really take 5 days to ship the item..

 

[poohandwendy]

I think Neutral is fair. Taking 5 days to ship would miff me. Just my opinion...

I agree. I am a seller too and I ship within 24 hours of payment received and if that cannot happen for whatever reason, I let the buyer know.

I would not leave a negative feedback for their neutral. I would respond to their feedback and leave them neutral, if you really feel the need.

And another thought:

"You elected not to purchase insurance for mail transit. The book will arrive via media mail..."

This comes across as extremely cold, IMO. I would try to be a littel bit more warm in your comunications. You should be businesslike but friendly, IMO. It really might make a difference.

Instead of telling them what they 'didn't' do, I would tell them what to expect. Ie "Thank you for your payment, I will be shipping your item on Oct 30 via USPS Media Mail with delivery confirmation. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks again, wendy"

 

[Toby'sFriend]

the 31st wasn't Monday, it was Tuesday. Monday was the 30th.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

I agree. I am a seller too and I ship within 24 hours of payment received and if that cannot happen for whatever reason, I let the buyer know.

I would not leave a negative feedback for their neutral. I would respond to their feedback and leave them neutral, if you really feel the need.

And another thought:
This comes across as extremely cold, IMO. I would try to be a littel bit more warm in your comunications. You should be businesslike but friendly, IMO. It really might make a difference.

Instead of telling them what they 'didn't' do, I would tell them what to expect. Ie "Thank you for your payment, I will be shipping your item on Oct 30 via USPS Media Mail with delivery confirmation. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks again, wendy"

I was paraphrasing my email about shipping to the buyer because I didn't think you guys needed that info to give the advice. I can assure you I am very friendly and never cold. The buyer and I actually exchanged a few emails, they should have inquired about the media mail at any one of those times, right? Anyway, thanks for your input. I will not be leaving negative feedback - it's not the right thing in this situation. You guys are right.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

the 31st wasn't Monday, it was Tuesday. Monday was the 30th.

You're right! It was mailed the 30th. Thanks!

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks for the input. I think the best thing is to reply with a neutral since that I what I received, as Obi-Wan suggested. I am always polite and respond to all questions, so I feel they are punishing me for their laziness and ignorance (not meant in the insulting way) as to what media mail is.

Serious question: if the buyer paid me on the Thursday 26th (in the late afternoon), why do some of you feel I was wrong to "delay" to mail on Monday the 31st?? I was in the post office by 8:15 AM and emailed the buyer with tracking number when I got to the office. Many sellers only mail on one day a week, do they not? Anyway, not to make excuses, but I was in Epcot the 27th through 30th (you can search my Food & Wine excitement posts). I don't feel I was out of line for mailing two business days later, I'm curious as to why some of you do. Thanks.

Well, I like to go above and beyond. I mean, most people really look forward to receiving the items. I buy too, so I appreciate a seller being prompt with shipping.

I have found that every little bit that you do that sets you apart from the rest really pays off in the end. Especially when it comes time for feedback.

Slow shipping in your feedback vs fast shipping really does mean the difference between getting bids and not getting them, especially when people have a choice between your item and a similar one. I have often had people tell me that my feedback was really appealing because of the pages of 'fast shipping' and 'good packing'.

JMHO

 

[poohandwendy]

I was paraphrasing my email about shipping to the buyer because I didn't think you guys needed that info to give the advice. I can assure you I am very friendly and never cold. The buyer and I actually exchanged a few emails, they should have inquired about the media mail at any one of those times, right? Anyway, thanks for your input. I will not be leaving negative feedback - it's not the right thing in this situation. You guys are right.

Sorry, I read that as verbatim because it was quoted. The way you worded it came across as cold to me. Sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

Well, I like to go above and beyond. I mean, most people really look forward to receiving the items. I buy too, so I appreciate a seller being prompt with shipping.

I have found that every little bit that you do that sets you apart from the rest really pays off in the end. Especially when it comes time for feedback.

Slow shipping in your feedback vs fast shipping really does mean the difference between getting bids and not getting them, especially when people have a choice between your item and a similar one. I have often had people tell me that my feedback was really appealing because of the pages of 'fast shipping' and 'good packing'.

JMHO

Exactly - everyone else has always been pleased with my turn around. I think this person expected Priority Mail. I did my best and learned a lesson. I will clarify shipping before I do anything further with a buyer from now on.

I will not be apologing for my Monday shipment, however.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

personally, I don't sell items unless I can commit to mailing within one business day of payment.

I state that in my auctions. "I ship Monday through Friday as soon as cleared payment is received." It does make a difference to people.

But yes, parcel post and media mail times can cause alot of problems. Given the widespread use of Priority Mail these days, many people just assume they are going to be getting their package within 3 days.

 

[Beth76]

I think some of you are being hard on the OP. I won an auction a few months ago from someone who had an ebay store. She stated that she ships within 24 hours of payment. Well I paid immediately after the auction ended and still 10 days later I had not rec'd. I emailed seller without response. I posted on the ebay forums to ask if slow shipment and non response warranted a negative response. I was not-so-gently told that sellers technically have 30 days to send an item (even if stated otherwise) and that as long as I rec'd the item in good condition I should not leave a neg. I see no reason why the OP needs to be faulted for waiting a few days to mail the package. It was only 3 (business) days.

 

[cardaway]

People said 5 days because until the OP edited, I think the dates were the 26th and 31st.

My opinion doesn't change. If she couldn't mail it by Saturday she should have started the auction on a different day so she could mail it sooner.

 

[cardaway]

I think some of you are being hard on the OP. I won an auction a few months ago from someone who had an ebay store. She stated that she ships within 24 hours of payment. Well I paid immediately after the auction ended and still 10 days later I had not rec'd. I emailed seller without response. I posted on the ebay forums to ask if slow shipment and non response warranted a negative response. I was not-so-gently told that sellers technically have 30 days to send an item (even if stated otherwise) and that as long as I rec'd the item in good condition I should not leave a neg. I see no reason why the OP needs to be faulted for waiting a few days to mail the package. It was only 3 (business) days.

Really?

If somebody has IN THEIR LISTING that they ship within 24 hours of payment they better at least come close. 10 days later is not even close. I would have left a very strong negative.